Chapter 7
As they walked out of the courthouse, the autumn afternoon sun was so bright it made their eyes sting.
But Julia didn't feel any warmth at all. She was cold to the bone.
John walked alongside her and finally spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Mrs. Evans, you really handled yourself well today," he said, a note of genuine respect in his voice.
"Being able to stay so calm in a situation like that—that's your greatest strength."
Julia glanced sideways, the sunlight leaving a faint shadow on her face.
"Honestly, arguing with a lunatic would only drag me down to his level."
Her voice was steady, calm as ever.
"The more he freaks out, the more it proves he's hiding something, and the more it shows we're on the right path."
John nodded, his gaze sharp and steady behind his glasses.
"You're absolutely right.
"We've got his whole performance on record, especially those threats and insults at the end.
"This will be damning evidence in court, showing he's emotionally unstable and has a violent streak.
"This will also give us some unexpected help in our fight for Ryan's custody."
Julia paused, a little taken aback.
"Ryan's custody?"
She had never considered this before.
In her heart, Ryan had always been Mark's son.
John noticed her confusion and explained, "Mark demanding you pay for emotional distress and leave with nothing is just a legal strategy.
"He's trying to pressure you into backing down and giving in on the property split and Chloe's custody.
"What we need to do is play his own game right back at him. We're going to make our demands too, and we'll be even more determined and forceful than he is.
"Not only should he leave with nothing, but he also has to pay for Chloe's medical expenses and emotional damages, and we're going to go all out to win custody of Ryan."
Julia fell silent.
She thought of Ryan's evasive eyes that held a trace of guilt.
She thought of the way he whispered to her about where the receipt was hidden.
Deep down, he wasn't a bad kid.
He'd just been shaped quietly by living with a selfish father like Mark Evans, picking up those habits without even noticing.
If Ryan stayed with Mark, what would his future look like?
She didn't want to think about it.
"I understand," she said softly. "For him, I should at least try."
Once they were in John's car, he started mapping out their next move.
"Now that mediation's failed, going to court is inevitable.
"We've still got some time to get ready before the hearing.
"The most urgent thing is to stop Mark from transferring any assets.
"He flew off the handle and said whatever came to mind in the mediation room today. It shows we've hit his soft spot, money, at the core.
"A guy like him will try every trick in the book to transfer joint assets into his own name or his family's.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll go straight to the court and file for an asset freeze to lock down all your marital property.
"That covers the house, the car, plus all the known bank accounts and investment products."
Julia's heart clenched.
"The known accounts?"
"Yes," John replied, his face growing serious. "The biggest risk is those hidden accounts he opened without us knowing."
"This is where stay-at-home wives usually end up losing out in a divorce.
"When the husband controls all the money, it's easy for him to make moves without his wife ever knowing."
Julia's heart sank.
She pictured Mark's scheming expression.
With the way he was, there was no doubt he'd totally pull something like that.
"What should I do?" she asked.
"You need to think carefully over the years since your marriage. Did he have any suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary financial transactions?
"For example, have you ever received texts from banks you didn't recognize, or gotten strange sales calls about investments?
"Or maybe you've seen bank cards or documents from a brokerage firm that you've never seen before?"
Julia racked her brain, trying to recall.
Fragments of memory surfaced, but they were all scattered and messy.
She shook her head.
"I... I just can't remember.
"He's always been the one in charge of our finances. I hardly ever paid attention."
"Don't worry, there's no need to stress," John reassured her. "That's totally normal.
"Let's try a different angle.
"Do you still have the key to the house?"
Julia blinked in surprise, then nodded.
"I left in such a hurry, but I still have the key in my bag."
A spark of cunning flashed in John's eyes.
"Mrs. Evans, I know this is risky, and honestly, it's a big ask.
"But if you want to take control of the property split and make sure that man doesn't get away with it, you might need to go back home."
"Not for anything else, just to find proof of the assets he's been hiding.
"Like any hidden bank cards, private investment agreements he signed without you knowing, or any leftover transfer records on his computer.
"Every piece of evidence could be the sharpest weapon we have against him in court."
Outside the car window, the city lights came alive, dazzling and vibrant.
Julia watched as the lights flashed across her face, flickering between brightness and shadow.
She had to go back to that house, the place that once carried all her hopes, now only filled with humiliation and betrayal.
Just the thought of it made her feel physically sick.
But she knew John was right.
For Chloe's future, for justice for herself, she had to go.
She took a deep breath, as if making a life-changing decision.
"Okay, I'll go."